I am 38 182cm / 75kg with reasonable fitness and have been riding a MTB however now I really want to buy a nice road bike with the purpose being fitness and also to use in a few short course triathlons next year..

I also think I might even join the local cycling club if I can find time however this will probably also be next year at this stage..

I was thinking the $800 savings on the 105 could be better used towards a $300 to $400 wheel set upgrade and give better bang for buck?

Also I am going to have a ride a Jamis bike not sure of model at this stage to see what they have in this $ range...

Any thoughts on the above or any better ideas...?

The local store sells Giants what would be the equivalent in their range and are they value compared to a CAAD?

I know I will need about $600 or slightly more for extras eg pedals, shoes, a bib set and basic tools as well at this stage th budget is about $3k however will have more in th next few months so cold use all on bike if right deal or go towards the $2k bikes and get the extras now..

Thanks so much in advance I must say getting a little excited as I can now pull the trigger and have been waiting for a few months to get the minister of finances approval

Yeah those Omeo's sure look tempting without riding one. Really good spec. Love the all black colour scheme on the 2014 caad 10 ultegra and the 6800. But a little pricey. The 2014 caad 10 105 well not a lot of difference to the 2013 so you may as well try and find a 2013 for 1700 - $1800 I reckon and then do your wheel upgrades etc. But try and test ride them all and the answers should start to fall in place.Good luck.Ps - might be worth waiting a few months for the 2015 models to roll in and get the 2014 model a little cheaper.

Thanks Rodney however how long would I need to wait for the 2015 bikes to come out and then would I be just as tempted to go the 2015 version? I think the 2014 CAAD's appear to be better than the 2013 however I am a complete newbie so I could be easily mistaken..

Any one else ride a Cell bike have feedback re the one I posted above?

Any other suggestions re a $2k bike then upgraded wheels or a $3k bike and be stuck with the wheel set for about 6-12mths..

Also would most bikes be suitable for tri bars or would I even need them for a sprint distance triathlon as I am planning on doing a couple of them next year and most likely this bike I am purchasing will be my trusty steed for these events...

Yeah I know its a tough ask to say to wait a few months but you don't see a lot of good bike sales between now and June. You might get a few end of financial year sales in late June and then the 2015 bikes (well Giant and Cannondale) usually roll in late July. Cell is a bit later than that because the Omeo didnt come out I think it was about Nov.

I have only seen one review of the omeo 2 to go off. I will dig out yhe link if you haven't seen it. But you got to ride them all to get the best idea.

Actually thinking back I'm pretty sure they new Giants were announced in late July and were in the shops by August. Maybe Cannondale were a little later but I dont think by much. It might be my imagination but it seems like they are getting earlier in recent years? Because yeah like Biz said it use to be about the start of Spring.

I went through the same thing last month (first road bike) and was tossing up between an aluminium frame with 105 vs a carbon frame with tiagra. (in essence, alu+better groupset vs carbon+lesser groupset) Everyone I spoke to pushed me towards a carbon bike with lesser groupset.

I wound up with a Cube Agree gtc. Having played with both 2014 tiagra and 105, I don't believe the 105 was worth the extra money at my level. The carbon frame on the other hand, was a significant difference in ride quality...

rodneycc wrote:Actually thinking back I'm pretty sure they new Giants were announced in late July and were in the shops by August. Maybe Cannondale were a little later but I dont think by much. It might be my imagination but it seems like they are getting earlier in recent years? Because yeah like Biz said it use to be about the start of Spring.

Giant's "recreational" range tends to appear around June, while the "performance" range is typically late August, although sometimes new versions can sneak in a little earlier if the previous season's model has run out earlier. Giant's road frames are due for a complete update for 2015, so don't expect to see anything sneak in before the official launch in August. The 105 group is also due for an upgrade, which will appear around the same time.

Ok update my LBS is offering 20% or more off all RRP for all stock held including 2014 CAAD's Giants etc etc however I am thinking of a 2014 JAMIS Race as I have an offer made to me for this bike for embarrassingly low $ / mates rates and it appears to retail for $3k+

Taylor Cycles are notoriously expensive, they market themselves as a boutique cycle store.

You might be able to find a 2013 model with an Ultegra electronic group set for under $3k. It'll be 10 speed instead of 11 speed. And I would talk to the LBS about upgrading the wheel set with the money you save.

If you have your heart set on a particular bike, there is very little anyone can say that will sway your mind. If you're not sold on a particular bike, test ride as many different brands and models of bikes as you can. Find the bike that you like the ride of the best. You won't get a consensus anywhere about such and such is the best, or that is the best deal out there.

There's no point buying the bike that is the best perceived value, if it's not the nicest riding bike to you. Think of it like you're buying a much more expensive pair of running shoes. Nike don't fit me, to loose around the heals, but New Balance are perfect for me, comfortable around the heal, good arch support, wide across front of the foot, and good cushioning.

I had a quick look through Bike Exchange for what's available in Melbourne on special at the moment. I looked at large frames, which suite a rider in the 178cm to 183cm range. You can play around with Bike Exchange if you ride a different size bike.

One thing to note, unless a brand re-engineers a frame for a particular model, the frames from 2012/2013/2014 should be the same, it's the components/group sets/wheel sets that differ each year on the frame.

This what I ride. It's not a road race bike, like the bikes above. It's got a slightly more upright geometry, what is known as Endurance geometry in the cycling world. Still, I sit comfortably in the bunch on the shop ride when almost everyone else is riding Scott Foils (aero road bikes = go very fast). http://www.bikeexchange.com.au/a/road-b ... /102056424

Pulled the trigger on the Jamis 2014 Race and even though only had time for a small 10km ride I am very much impressed with this bike and running gear.. Surprised at how fast and smooth the bike feels and the shimano ultegra is ultra responsive / impressive too...

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